High MPG estate car. 3k budget

[Lawbags]

Howdy all.
I'm looking for an estate car with high MPG with a 3k budget.
I've been looking at the C220 blueefficiency, but the estates aren't overly common.
Any other suggestions?

Cheers

[Writhing]

Late model Honda Accord ex estate.
Cavernous, fairly smart, smooth, reliable, well-equipped and 50mpg.

[MustangGT]

Lawbags said:

Howdy all.
I'm looking for an estate car with high MPG with a 3k budget.
I've been looking at the C220 blueefficiency, but the estates aren't overly common.
Any other suggestions?

Cheers

There are other models with the same 2.1 engine, C200 and C250, just different states of tune. I run a C250 coupe and get between 50 - 55 mpg overall.

Otherwise a Skoda Octavia could fit the bill.

[Dracoro]

I had a Toyota Avensis 1.8 petrol manual estate.
It comfortably got 40mpg, more on longer runs, slightly less if around town.
Utterly reliable, nice enough to drive and very well built.
At £3k budget, any car could (will!) land you some maintenance bills but probably less likely with Toyota so that would negate any fuel savings if going diesel route.

[thebraketester]

Passat pd130

[7 5 7]

Insignia diesel estate, probably get a newer plated car for that budget and probably a £20/35 VED tax jobby too.

They have their issues but what doesn't, they are pretty solid, definitely worth a look at this budget.

[Quhet]

A VAG diesel would fit the bill. There must be loads of oldish Golf, Passat, Superb, Octavia, A4 estates knocking about. Gumtree, FB marketplace and ebay would be good hunting grounds to get better value compared to Auto Trader

[AmyRichardson]

7 5 7 said:

Insignia diesel estate, probably get a newer plated car for that budget and probably a £20/35 VED tax jobby too.

They have their issues but what doesn't, they are pretty solid, definitely worth a look at this budget.

That would be where I'd look; it would be a seriously spacious thing and the "yuck, Vauxhall" attitude of much of the buying public ensures you'll get something newer and less leggy than the alternatives.

[TCS1]

I'm currently running around in a 2007 2.0tdi A4 and its very economicals, higher tax but feels tank-like in its build quality. Would swap it for an estate in a heartbeat. Should get one in decent order for your budget.

Edited by TCS1 on Thursday 31st July 09:54

[Byker28i]

How big an estate do you need?

11 year old Seat Leon estate, 50-55mpg on a run
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507174...

[Dapster]

Can you find a 3 series F31 Efficient Dynamics in budget? They are insanely good on fuel - official average something like 68 mpg but if you drive like a vicar you should be able to beat that on a long, quiet run

[triggerh4ppy]

You need something with the PSA engine 1.6 HDI..

I was against french cars until I owned a citroen C4 picasso with this engine and had 100k trouble free miles. Extremely good on fuel 80+mpg and this is used in a number of different cars from other manufacturers also (Mazda, Ford, Volvo, suzuki and mini) which proves its reliability


Peugeot 508sw Blue HDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506113...




Or if you want to stay away from french I would go with the 1.6TDI from VW/Audi group ( I know of injector issues on this but if its been maintained youll be fine)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506143...

Used in Passat, Fabia, Octavia,Leon, Golf

[Trevor555]

Lawbags said:

Howdy all.
I'm looking for an estate car with high MPG with a 3k budget.
I've been looking at the C220 blueefficiency, but the estates aren't overly common.
Any other suggestions?

Cheers

I'd be considering reliability over outright MPG at this budget.

The Merc is likely to throw up some big repair bills.

An older diesel with less emisions crap would be better. Vw PD engine at that budget, Passat/Golf.

[paul_c123]

Trevor555 said:

An older diesel with less emisions crap would be better. Vw PD engine at that budget, Passat/Golf.

Do you mean the 1.9, or the later 1.6/2.0?

[Trevor555]

paul_c123 said:

Trevor555 said:

An older diesel with less emisions crap would be better. Vw PD engine at that budget, Passat/Golf.

Do you mean the 1.9, or the later 1.6/2.0?

The 1.9 or the slightly later 2.0cc

Up to 2006

The 1.6tdi tends to need injectors soon after 100k

[7 5 7]

AmyRichardson said:

7 5 7 said:

Insignia diesel estate, probably get a newer plated car for that budget and probably a £20/35 VED tax jobby too.

They have their issues but what doesn't, they are pretty solid, definitely worth a look at this budget.

That would be where I'd look; it would be a seriously spacious thing and the "yuck, Vauxhall" attitude of much of the buying public ensures you'll get something newer and less leggy than the alternatives.

Yup, or a Mondeo 1.6tdi estate, again can throw up issues but at this budget many cars can.

Insignias though, especially the facelift 64plate+, (which are in budget)...are remarkably well built and sorted cars, they are absolute bargains I think, quite surprised when I had a go in one, coming from a Volvo or BMW.

[thebraketester]

Trevor555 said:

paul_c123 said:

Trevor555 said:

An older diesel with less emisions crap would be better. Vw PD engine at that budget, Passat/Golf.

Do you mean the 1.9, or the later 1.6/2.0?

The 1.9 or the slightly later 2.0cc

Up to 2006

The 1.6tdi tends to need injectors soon after 100k

1.6tdi is best avoided.

[ZX10R NIN]

508 Allure:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507234...

Mondeo Titanium X:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506073...

Insignia:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507315...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506143...

C220:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507254...

[legendracer]

What do you all think of this one? High mileage mercedes 2 ltr 2016 model. 3,70,000 miles.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507304...

[Davie]

I'd disagree with the suggestion of 1.6 stuff, more so the PSA flavour. Not exactly renowned for durability anc their high mpg figures seem to only be achievable if you drive at 54mph slipstreaming lorries for hours. Or drive everywhere like you're heading up a funeral procession. Fine if that's your thing but can be frustratingly slow in the real world and pushing them on is hard work and kills their perceived good economy figures.